Arranging the music of 2 songs...

Whew... you might think that with a three day weekend for most of us here in the states, we would have posted more mixes, but I've been busy with focused site development such that interrupting and finding time to post music was a little difficult. I did however have the time to catch Iron Man, which even after considerable buildup I was still happy with. Also recommend checking out OC ReMixer sephfire's recently released video on Games & Sex, which is well-made PLUS features a small excerpt from one of my mixes. Honestly, there's been so much going on that we haven't had time to talk about, and it's all coming at a time when my own personal focus continues to be on site development to make our plans for 2008 happen. It's a very frustrating division of responsibilities, but fortunately Larry's been handling a lot of the PR stuff recently, and I'm delegating more than ever to helpful folks (Bahamut, CHz, Palpable, and soon others) to assist with database tasks. There's a rough road ahead, but each week we're making consistent, gradual progress, and furthermore, there should be some fantastic album releases on the horizon.

Thus, onto the ReMix. VHD was going to title this "My Home, My Friends... My Miller Lite(TM)!!" but we convinced him to use the shortened, somewhat classier version. I kid, though... it's always great to see more mixage from Mr. Barnaba, who's covered a good variety of RPG scores with his elegant orchestral abilities. This FF5 mix combines two themes seamlessly into a Joe Hisaishi style piece, as Dan explains:

If you're familiar with Dan's work, the quality and emotion you'd expect is present and accounted for; if this is your first exposure, be sure to check out the rest of his repertoire, as literally everything is well worth a listen. Strings open on legato chords, a mixture of hope and melancholy, with winds joining in soon afterwards. A push at 0'54" evokes many a cinematic score, and the pizzicato/chromatic percussion duet of sorts is equally narrative; I see this as the opening piece of a film, as the camera rolls over hills and majestic mountains during the more sweeping passages and focuses on different scenes of town life during the more intimate solo bits. Brass plays a stronger role in the section beginning around 2'26", where hits introduce a march tempo with rolling snare and string runs.

We talk about transitions a lot - it makes sense, since this is a website focused on arrangement - and whether a given piece has solid or somewhat awkward transitions can definitely affect the overall listening experience, not to mention influence the judges' decisions. What's so cool about VHD, and this mix in particular, is that not only are the transitions almost transparent, but they bridge ensemble and solo sections, often with very different tones, so they're doing quite a bit of work, too.

We didn't really have an FF5 piece in this specific genre/style, which should be very accessible to film score buffs or anyone into FF orchestral; there aren't a lot of impresario passages with flurries of notes or brash displays of sequencing technique, but rather a cohesive, deliberate arrangement that's both classy and emotional, displaying a refined sense of direction and timing as well as very solid production. Awesome stuff.

It's a shame that this hasn't gotten many comments, Vampire
Hunter Dan manages to make solid music.

I definitely like this take though. I find it hard to place my
finger on why, but perhaps it's because of the semi-dramatic
approach it starts off with, and then a more mechanical/playful
section, to then further on with a mix of My Home Sweet Home and
Dear Friends. Someone with more theory knowledge can probably
pinpoint how the song does things nicely, but it has a great flow
to it.

This remix nearly brings me to tears, then it picks me right back
up and ends with a flourish. It's delicate yet majestic, and the
balance in instrumentation and in arrangement is simply
marvelous. I've always been a sucker for the harp, so its
entrance seals the deal for me. Though the first 2:20 is
out-of-this world beautiful, the rest of the song also superb,
and the melding of the two themes toward the end wraps things up
nicely.

I understand the complaints of the transition after 3:00, but I
don't mind it. I envision this being played in the closing scene
of a ballet: perhaps a wedding as Dhsu mentioned, at 2:20 an
entrance by possible antagonists who eventually reveal their
approval of the occasion, at 3:15 some wistful remembrances of
several prior adventures that took place with the guests on hand,
a short procession at 4:22, and a closing starting at 4:50 with a
fitting happily-ever-after retreat of the couple that somehow
still leaves open the possibility for future adventures.

I'm no expert on orchestral works, to say the least, but I find
what you have crafted here to be truly phenomenal.

One of the best sources in the history of Final Fantasy and video
gaming in general. You certainly brought it justice (I tried too
but ended up raping the source totally instead...) and for that I
thank you, OCR and the world needed this. Great stuff!

The source tunes are two of the most beautiful melodies in Final
Fantasy V (and the FF series in general) and I'm glad to hear
them getting the orchestral treatment. A shame to see this with
so few reviews, but understandable as the game never had a
prominent North American release.

I'm actually a little surprised I didn't review this arrangement
myself before now. The "Home Sweet Home" section is epic and
sweeping, and probably wouldn't sound out of place if you heard
it while watching Braveheart. The transition provides drama and
variety while preparing listeners for the march-like rhythms of
the "Dear Friends" section, which in my opinion would be perfect
for a Final-Fantasy-themed wedding.

Dan never skimps in terms of arrangement or sample quality, and
"My Home, My Friends" is an excellent example of his skill.
Definitely recommended.

I like how this was slowed down and made more dramatic. It really
brings out the feeling of longing. On the opposite side, having
the more 'quirky' sections kept the mood a little lighter, in a
good way.

I don't know the source of the 'dark' part of the song, but I
can't say I really like it. It was too far removed from the rest
of the piece.

I don't know if it's just because I'm playing things a little
quiet, but I felt like the volume could use a boost.

Overall, I like the piece, just some detracting factors lessened
my enjoyment a little.

This reminds me a fair amount of a more dramatic Jeremy Soule. Or
rather, like a more dramatic version of Jeremy Soule's ambient
tracks from the Elder Scrolls series. Perhaps maybe mostly for
the first part. At some points, it works really well - at others,
I think it's a bit too much - not enough down time and too much
"cymbal crash! Strrriiiiiiings!" The intro especially seemed to
be getting off to a wonderful start, and then suddenly we had
runs in the strings and woosh! Drama! I would have liked to hear
the slow part really play with some chords and melodic ideas.
Also, the piece feels like it stays in a certain pitch range for
the majority of its duration, but I might be wrong on that.
Still, I would have liked to hear more contrast in highs and
lows.

But! That's not enough of a problem to bring down the really
great aspects of this piece. Easily Vampire Hunter Dan's best
work that I can remember. I do wish that he would have developed
the slow sections a lot more and ultimately increased the length
of the song that way, but his ideas here are creative and well
executed. His use of brass here is also flawless, and THAT alone
is worth almost infinite praise on OCR.

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